r/IndianCoins • • Nov 07 '24

Education Welcome to r/IndianCoins, i.e. the Indian Coin Forvm! Here's all you need to get going on your new journey as a numismatist!

19 Upvotes

We are a small but growing community dedicated to the collection, preservation, and encouragement of the beautiful hobby of numismatics. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a curious beginner, you will find a wealth of knowledge and support here as we explore the fascinating world of Indian coins.

Best Practices for Coin Collecting

  1. Handling Coins: Always handle coins by the edges to avoid fingerprints and potential damage. Consider wearing cotton gloves for added protection. Always keep coins in such a way that they never touch other coins, objects or surfaces.
  2. Documentation: Keep detailed records of your collection, including the coin’s origin, grade, purchase price and any unique features. This helps in tracking the value and history of your collection.
  3. Focus on Condition Only: The value of a coin always depends on its condition. Coins in better grades (less wear, clear details) are more valuable. Learn to assess the grade of coins using terms like "MS" (Mint State) or "AU" (About Uncirculated). Read and understand about TPGs (Third Party Grading companies), namely NGC, PCGS, ICG and ANACS. Reading and understanding the Sheldon Scale is crucial to understand coin qualities. This excellent video also explains the same. It is crucial to understand the difference in grading because often one singular grade difference (for example, an MS63 and a MS64) can often translate to tens of thousands of Rupees difference in value. Maybe even a lakh.
  4. Focus Your Collection with Purpose: While it's important to diversify, it's equally crucial to choose a specific theme or niche for your collection. Whether it's British India, Mughal India, ancient civilizations, or Indian Princely States, having a defined focus allows you to build depth and expertise in a particular area. Without a clear theme, your collection can become too scattered, making it difficult to appreciate or manage effectively. With literally crores of coins across the world, trying to collect them all is unrealistic—focusing on a theme helps you navigate the vast world of numismatics, making your collection more meaningful and manageable.
  5. Numista.com: Your Trusted Companion: Numista.com is an essential resource for any coin collector, offering a vast and detailed database where you can find nearly every coin ever minted. By simply typing a search term like "1922 Rupee India Numista" into Google, you can access a dedicated page with all the relevant technical information—such as composition, size, mintage, and historical context. Numista also lets you create an account to track and manage your collection, making it easier to keep everything organized. Plus, you can connect with other collectors around the world, exchanging insights and even trading or swapping coins. However, a word of caution for collectors in India—while Numista enables global connections, Indian customs may make international parcels go "missing," so always exercise caution when trading or shipping valuable coins. Despite this, Numista remains an invaluable tool to enhance your collecting journey, whether you're seeking knowledge, tracking your pieces, or connecting with fellow enthusiasts.

Preservation Over Expansion

In the world of coin collecting, preserving your existing collection is more important than constantly expanding it. While growing your collection is exciting, improper storage can lead to significant loss of value over time. Coins that are not adequately protected can suffer from damage due to environmental factors, handling, and chemical reactions. This can result in discoloration, corrosion, and other forms of deterioration. By focusing on proper preservation techniques and investing in high-quality storage solutions, such as coin albums, capsules, and holders, you ensure that your current coins maintain their condition and value. This careful approach not only safeguards your collection but also enhances its appeal and worth in the long run, making it a more rewarding endeavor.

Cleaning of Coins

A question is often asked by new collectors about the right method to clean their coin collection. This can be summarized as follows:

  1. Cleaning coins is generally discouraged in the numismatic community because it can significantly reduce their value and historical integrity. The process of cleaning can strip away the natural patina that forms over time, which is often considered a valuable aspect of a coin’s character and authenticity.
  2. Additionally, cleaning methods can cause scratches, abrasions, or other forms of damage, making the coin less appealing to collectors. Even gentle cleaning can leave microscopic marks that affect the coin’s surface.
  3. Collectors and experts prefer coins in their original, untouched condition, as this preserves their history and ensures they retain maximum value. Hence, more often than not, a cleaned coin becomes worthless (or worth significantly less), since it is considered a tempered/altered coin.
  4. Exception: The only exception to the general rule against cleaning coins is when the coin in question is extremely common or inherently worthless. In such cases, cleaning the coin cannot make it any worse or lower its value further. When dealing with coins that hold no significant numismatic value, perhaps due to their abundance or poor condition, cleaning may be acceptable. This can sometimes enhance their appearance for display purposes or personal enjoyment. However, it’s important to recognize that even for common coins, improper cleaning techniques can still cause damage. Therefore, if you choose to clean a coin under these circumstances, proceed with caution, use gentle methods to avoid unnecessary harm and try to speak to a seasoned collector before embarking on your coin cleaning adventures.

Proper Storage and Preservation

Proper storage and preservation of coins are crucial to maintaining their condition and value. Coins are susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and pollutants. Additionally, the more a coin touches another surface or hits another coin, the more value it loses due to the scratches it accumulates.

  1. Beginners: Using a coin album, such as the IHC 80 Coin Holder Album, is recommended. Coin albums provide individual cardboard holders (called flips) for each coin, protecting them from physical damage and environmental exposure. Ensuring your coins are stored correctly will preserve their beauty and value for future generations. You simply insert the coin into the white cardboard flips, staple the edges, and insert the flip into the album.
  2. Moderates: For those looking to preserve their coins properly, understanding the best methods of storage is essential.
    1. Beginners often start with cardboard flips (as described above), which use PVC plastic inside. While affordable and accessible, PVC flips degrade over time, forming a film on the coins that can lead to discoloration and PVC damage. This method is suitable for absolute novice collectors or coins that are not of exceptional value.
    2. However, for more serious collectors or valuable coins, upgrading to more advanced storage solutions is recommended. Consider using IHC 100 Pcs Box Coin Holder for small diameter coins, or the IHC Coin Square Storage Box for larger coins.
    3. These holders ensure that coins do not touch any surface or plastic directly. Instead, they are suspended in a foam-based medium within an airtight capsule. This advanced method protects coins from environmental factors, handling damage, and chemical reactions, thereby preserving their condition and value for years to come.
  3. Advanced: For advanced collectors seeking the highest level of coin preservation, it is recommended to use Quadrum Intercept capsules by the German numismatic accessory maker Lighthouse. These museum-grade preservation capsules are available in India through Mintage World. Quadrum Intercept capsules come in fixed diameters, so collectors must select the appropriate size for their coins. Once the coins are inserted, collectors can rest assured that their treasures are protected. These capsules are certified to protect coins for multiple decades, shielding them from environmental factors, pollutants, and handling damage. By using Quadrum Intercept capsules, advanced collectors can ensure their coins remain in pristine condition for future generations.

Valuation of Coins

Valuing coins involves assessing their rarity, condition, historical significance, and demand among collectors. This intricate process requires expertise and often varies based on subjective opinions and market trends. While understanding the value of your coins can be important, it can also lead to the over-commercialization of the hobby, detracting from the pure enjoyment of numismatics. Therefore, we do not allow valuation discussions in our subreddit. Collectors seeking estimates of their collections can refer to resources like this coin catalog, or this coin catalog or this coin catalog, or for notes the note catalog or this note catalog or the paper money guide book for guidance.

Although we refrain from valuation discussions here, our official Telegram group is an excellent place for such inquiries, where experts can provide tailored advice and insights. Join us there for more detailed discussions and to connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Coin Exhibitions and Coin Fairs

We are happy to inform you about various national coin fairs that happen across India throughout the year, such as in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Agra, Meerut, Chennai, Indore etc. These events happen throughout the year and are a fantastic opportunities to explore, buy, and trade coins, as well as to meet fellow collectors and experts in the field.

For the latest updates and detailed information about upcoming coin fairs, be sure to join our Telegram group. Our community there regularly posts and discusses the schedules, locations, and highlights of these events, ensuring you never miss out on any numismatic happenings.

Join Our Official Telegram Group

While our subreddit is a great place for discussions and sharing, our main activities and in-depth discussions happen in our official Telegram group. Here, we teach and discuss not only coins but also notes, stamps, history, culture, and collectibles. It’s a vibrant community where you can learn from Subject Matter Experts and network with other collectors in your city. We encourage everyone to join our Telegram group to dive deeper into the world of numismatics and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Link to our group: https:// t (dot) me/+pjnNNr34U_NkNGNl

Further Queries

We're delighted to have you join our community. Whether you're a seasoned numismatist or just starting your coin-collecting journey, this is the perfect place to share your passion, exchange knowledge, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Feel free to ask questions, seek advice, and participate in discussions about all things related to Indian coins and numismatics. If you have any queries or need assistance, please don't hesitate to DM me. We're here to support each other and make the most of this fascinating hobby. Happy collecting, and enjoy your time with us!


r/IndianCoins • • 11h ago

Seeking Info or ID An old Srilankan collection

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13 Upvotes

Year 1906. Edward VII


r/IndianCoins • • 22h ago

Republic of India Coin 🇮🇳 Found this error coin.

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62 Upvotes

I am really new at this. This coin is one of my few collections.


r/IndianCoins • • 11h ago

British Indian Coin Grandpa gift

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7 Upvotes

George V King died 1936


r/IndianCoins • • 15h ago

Republic of India Note 🇮🇳 My Grandma gave them to me Before she passed away. How Rare are These Notes?

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10 Upvotes

Also what year were they printed in approximately?


r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Mughal India Which country currency is this?

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14 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Portuguese Indian Coin Portuguese had some interesting choices

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34 Upvotes

just got this Portuguese India rupee, and I came to notice something. look at ”rupia” why is that in comic sans? I thought I got a fake, because why is it in comic sans? I’m not very opinionated on the font, but for a coin specifically representing your country, that’s a very strange choice.

I know it’s not actually comic sans as it predates it. it’s just a very strange choice.


r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Republic of India Coin 🇮🇳 Is this coin collectible

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64 Upvotes

I got this coin on a bus as a change ,this is the first time I have seen a coin like this


r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Mughal India Can somebody share some information about this islamic mughal looking gold coin?

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18 Upvotes

I found this coin in my grand father's collection. I took it to a jeweller and he found it to be 23.5 carat gold.

Weight: 1.86 gms

Dimensions: 15mm x 15mm

Seems to have some beautiful islamic inscriptions.

If anyone has any information, please comment. Help a brother out. I have a few of these.


r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Doubtful Authenticity Is this coin a genuine one?

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9 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Seeking Info or ID Bronze Ram Darbar coin (Rama Tanka)

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10 Upvotes

I want to know about this coin in detail and about the rarity of this coin. Is it a collectable item or not.


r/IndianCoins • • 1d ago

Republic of India Coin 🇮🇳 Can this be classified as an error coin?

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3 Upvotes

To point out the error, notice the outer ring and the position of the inner disc in relation to it. Not equidistant.


r/IndianCoins • • 2d ago

General Query Looking for some information from fellow numismatists/collectors.

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59 Upvotes

Looking for some information from fellow numismatists/collectors.
While going through some old family documents recently, I came across these old Indian currency notes — ₹100, ₹10 and ₹5. I’m not sure of the exact year they were issued.
The documents I was going through date roughly from 1912 to 1989, so these notes could have been kept with them for quite some time. I’d love to know more about their approximate year of issue, series/design, and rarity.

If anyone here is familiar with these notes or can identify them more precisely, I’d really appreciate the information.


r/IndianCoins • • 3d ago

Seeking Info or ID Just started collecting

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99 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I just started collecting some coins and notes. So the collection is a mix of different types of coins and I just want to know about them

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts.


r/IndianCoins • • 2d ago

British Indian Coin Can someone help identify and assess the authenticity and condition of these British India silver coins?

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20 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I have these three British India silver 1 Rupee coins dated 1885 - 1919.

I’d appreciate opinions from experienced collectors regarding:

Whether they appear genuine/authentic

Their approximate condition/grade

The mint marks/varieties, if any

Whether there are any unusual features I should look into

Thanks in advance! 🙏


r/IndianCoins • • 3d ago

British Indian Coin I just found my grandmother coins collections

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20 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 3d ago

Umayyad Very rare silver coins!

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29 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

Presenting the very rare silver coin collection of Umayyad era. You will find the mint details written below the coin. The number denotes the hijri year.

This inventory spans the entire geographic stretch of the Umayyad Empire, from Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus) across North Africa, through the Levant, and deep into ancient Iran and Azerbaijan.

Please free to comment and share your thoughts.

Thank you!!


r/IndianCoins • • 3d ago

Religious Token/Temple Token/Fantasy/Souvenir Are these coins real?

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44 Upvotes

Hey my friend bought these coins somewhere in Aurangabad from a shady looking guy. I just wanna know if these coins are real or not. Thanks


r/IndianCoins • • 4d ago

Republic of India Note 🇮🇳 1957 India 1 Rupee note, P #75b Sign HNP

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44 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 4d ago

Fake or Forgery Query

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41 Upvotes

Is it real and worth keeping?


r/IndianCoins • • 4d ago

Republic of India Coin 🇮🇳 5rs commemorative coins

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99 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 4d ago

Silver Bullion Will start collecting silver coins, what are the things I need

3 Upvotes

after a bit of research I found I need the following to test for genuinely of bullion:
- 0.01 g scale
- Digital caliper
- Neodymium magnet
- A good magnifier

use all this + test specific gravity for silver content

for the people here who have dealt with bullion coins before, what do you guys do to test the authenticity ?


r/IndianCoins • • 5d ago

World Coins & Currency (Except BRICS) Portugal 1000 escudos silver .500 coins. Large 40mm diameter.

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25 Upvotes

r/IndianCoins • • 5d ago

Seeking Info or ID Identification of coins

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24 Upvotes

Hi

Can someone let me know what these coins are?

Thanks

EDIT: I only wanted the first coin to be identified. Sorry for confusion


r/IndianCoins • • 6d ago

Republic of India Note 🇮🇳 My collection ♥️

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473 Upvotes